Town Where You Live
Portland
Your Experience/Qualifications
I'm an experienced Multnomah County prosecutor committed to equal justice and fair trials for all. I've earned the support of former Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, Presiding Judge of the Multnomah County Circuit Court Judith H. Matarazzo, and dozens more elected leaders and judges from across the state.
County
Multnomah
Over 20 years ago, I took a job working in a domestic violence shelter and that experience inspired me to go to law school and become an advocate for survivors of domestic violence. As a Multnomah County prosecutor and District Attorney of Columbia County, I sought justice for victims and their families in the courtroom, while also using my position to defend the rights of the wrongfully convicted. My record has earned me the support of more than 25 Supreme Court Justices and Judges, as well as elected leaders, defense attorneys, and legal experts. As Circuit Court Judge, I will listen carefully, protect equal justice for all, and ensure everyone in our community has access to a fair trial.
As someone who has successfully prosecuted murder cases, I believe serious prison sentences are appropriate when public safety and the magnitude of harm requires it. But I’ve also seen the system promote healing for victims and advance public safety when outcomes support offender rehabilitation in the community. When an offender’s criminal conduct is explained by substance abuse, mental health or housing instability, then a combination of treatment, supportive services, and supervision reduces the risk of future harm to themselves or others. I understand this balance, will treat both crime victims and the accused with dignity, and will problem-solve to improve public safety outcomes in our community.
Judges make pretrial release decisions with too little information about a defendant’s risks and needs. This means people are released from jail without the support or supervision required to ensure they appear for court and obey the law. As a judge, I would support improvements to the court’s pretrial release system so we can make informed decisions that protect the public from future crimes.
I would also seek to expedite the resolution of criminal cases. The accused are spending too long waiting for trial and anxious crime victims are left wondering when justice will be served. I have the qualifications needed to preside over complex trials on day one, efficiently handle high-volume dockets, and ensure fair trials for all.
I have a commitment to the rule of law, compassion for the poor. I am also smart and hard working. I have demonstrated these qualities while working at Multnomah Defenders. My time covering the "Aid and Assist" docket (a docket for cases where the defendant has been found too mentally ill to be prosecuted) demonstrates my compassion for the mentally ill.
I would consider the law-- Judges in Oregon do not always have discretion when sentencing felonies. I would also consider the experiences of the defendant..
I would advocate for single judge docketing.
Contact Phone
503-866-7154
Campaign Phone (public)
5037104334
Town Where You Live
Portland
Your Experience/Qualifications
I am the only candidate with experience in both prosecution and public defense work, translating to moderate and thoughtful policies that favor prosecution of crimes, but also acknowledging that individuals in our criminal justice system are often our most vulnerable, needing help. After prosecuting and defending thousands of Oregonians, I am passionate about the judicial system providing holistic solutions, provide all Oregonians access to mental health and addiction services.
County
Oregon
Term
4 years
Term Expires
2028
I started my career in the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, where I handled matters dealing with some of the most vulnerable populations. There, I learned of the mechanisms in place to connect individuals with social services as well as the importance of a "fresh start". My prosecutorial experience educated my views on victim rights and how to craft a resolution that will benefit all parties involved. Knowing those rehabilitation and diversion tools available has served the public well, as I now am a public defense attorney thats provides solutions addressing houselessness, addiction, and mental health. These are the challenges we face in our County and I will work tirelessly to address them, making our community safe for all.
In determining the appropriate sentence, I take into consideration criminal history, mental health, addiction, trauma, and poverty. If an individual is repeatedly in our courtroom, that means that we are not doing something right. This could mean we need to link the individual with a social worker, review a mental health condition, or obtain a treatment bed for the person.
Not all individuals want or need social services, and depending on the crime, I will follow the law. The Oregon Justice Resource Commission has guideline sentences that I will adhere to.
A reform that I support is to have better connection to social services for individuals in need. Unfortunately, with the historical cuts to mental health and addiction services, our courts have become where these vulnerable populations come for assistance. As of now, there is not great transparency in what services are available, nor is specialty court or treatment court process accessible. We need increased access to these services and for their provision to be openly shared amongst all community stakeholders.
Town Where You Live
Portland
Your Experience/Qualifications
I've been an Animal Law Hearings Officer (Judge) for Multnomah County since June of 2022, and a trial attorney successfully defending the constitutional rights of criminal defendants and crime victims since graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2005. Since I started law school at the age of 36, and worked all 3 years of law school, I bring an outsider's perspective to my practice and have been a zealous advocate for the underserved, vulnerable and marginalized in our community.
County
Multnomah
Term
6 years
Term Expires
2031
My understanding of the toll that delay of criminal cases takes on criminal defendants and crime victims uniquely qualifies me to serve as a judge. As the current shortage of public defenders continues, we see cases being delayed more and more, and victims are unable to be made whole.
Because I spent the first 8 and a half years of my career as a trial attorney at Metropolitan Public Defender, I know the stressors and obstacles impacting the public defenders appearing in court, as well as the competing stressors on prosecutors, and the work it takes to settle cases well. We currently have over 5,000 Oregonians without legal counsel in Oregon. Electing individuals who are part of the current system will only lead to more of the same.
Because of the mandatory sentencing required for Ballot Measure 11 cases and repeat property offenses, judges in state court in Oregon do not have sentencing discretion for the most serious criminal offenses. It is the District Attorneys' who hold all the power and discretion to dictate settlement terms and who are ultimately responsible for the backlog of cases across Oregon and in Multnomah County. For the non-mandatory sentencing cases where there IS judicial discretion for sentencing, I would follow the law, and review everything provided by the state and the defense, and try to make the decision that best serves justice, the victim, and the community.
The practice of allowing criminal defendants to appear by phone for status checks during the pandemic is one that would be incredibly helpful if adopted full time and statewide. In counties where phone appearances are not allowed, it can be an undue hardship in terms of missing work, transportation costs and sometimes even loss of employment. Making discovery dissemination consistent across the state is also a concern. I initiated and worked on a 3-year project in partnership with Aliza Kaplan and Lewis & Clark Law School that studied District Attorney discovery policies in all 36 counties of Oregon. That study led to testimony before the Oregon legislature in 2021 on Senate Bill 751, which was signed into law.
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